Ultrastructure of the tongue of Turkeys (meleagris gallopavo-hybrid breed) reared in Türkiye using light and scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

The tongue is one of the organs involved in the digestive and sensory systems, which plays a vital role in feeding strategies in birds. In our study, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the tongue were determined in turkeys raised in Türkiye. Five turkey tongues, cut for consumption, were used. The tongue was divided into apex, corpus, and radix sections and fixed in formaldehyde. After fixation, routine histological tissue procedure was performed. The sections were stained with Crossman’s triple staining method and histological features were determined. For scanning electron microscopy, tissue samples fixed by glutaraldehyde solution were coated with gold after the routine procedure and examined under a scanning electron microscope. As a result of the study, the tongue was triangular, and conical papillae were observed between the corpus and radix. Two cornified epithelial structures were identified through histological and electron microscopic findings. Microscopic papillae extending from the connective tissue to the epithelial layer on the dorsal surface of the tongue, extending in different directions were quite prominent. Anterior and posterior lingual glands were present in the corpus and radix of the tongue. Electron microscopic examination showed the opening holes of these glands and conical papillae. Although slight differences were observed, the tongue’s structure was generally similar to that of Galliform birds